I didn’t expect to find decent Sichuanese cuisine in Taupo, but I was proven wrong with Chengdu Kitchen. After cruising the lake, we was hungry for something different than all those standard cafe frequented by tourists. Seeing this place was like stumbling on something realy good in a town that isn’t exactly famous for its Chinese restaurant.
It was intended to be a simple lunch but became one of those meal when you order and order again because it all taste real, the sort of cooking that never pulls its punches with the chilli oil, doesn’t tone things down for the tourist crowd.
A Surprise Find in Taupo
Chengdu Kitchen
The shop front is located on a main street through Taupo. It is easy overlooked unless you are looking for it (which we nearly did).
However, when I spotted the promise of “authentic Chengdu flavours” in the window, I had to go in and check it out. The interior is basic and no-frills, just comfortable and clean, with timber table and a service counter at the rear. There’s nothing flash about it, but there doesn’t need to be.
I noticed a panda toy sitting on the wall and smiled. When we arrived, the restaurant were empty except for two other table, so we took a table by the window.
I’m glad we over-ordered, because we did. First up were the green bean, stir-fried with minced pork and chilli. They was properly seasoned (not greasy) and still crisp.
Next up: the fish in chilli oil, that’s the type of dish that require some rice to balance it out, as the chilli oil has that numbing Sichuan pepper heat that sneak up on you. There was plenty of it too. We had some fried rice as well.
It was simple stuff, but done right with no oiliness and good wok flavour throughout every grain. I don’t know if it was very authentic this far away from anywhere, but the kitchen certainly didn’t skimp on flavour or spice.
Some of the dish weren’t things I’d heard of before but thankfully there are pictures on the menu of the house specials. It was all written in both language and I liked that I could see what it is we were ordering. Serving sizes was generous, we shared between two of us and still had leftovers.
While Chengdu Kitchen wouldn’t be somewhere I’d go out of my way to visit in Taupo, if you’re already there and looking for some food with actual flavour and heat then they delivers. It’s reasonably priced, the cooking seem honest and I came away feeling satisfied, which is more than many tourist-town restaurant can say. If you’re passing through and fancy a break from burgers and pies, it’s worth stopping in.
Have you discover any good regional Chinese cooking in unexpected small town? I’d love to hear where.